Clinical effectiveness of monocanalicular silicone intubation for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction under nasal endoscopic visualization of the terminal end of the obstructed nasolacrimal duct

Purpose: To evaluate the cause of nasolacrimal duct obstruction through confirmation by nasal endoscopic findings of Hasner's valve and to report the success rate of monocanalicular silicone intubation (MCI) for the management of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO). Methods: Seventy-seven eyes of 56 patients with CNLDO underwent MCI under nasal endoscopic visualization of the terminal end of the obstructed nasolacrimal duct at the Korea University Ansan Hospital and Guro Hospital from October 2008 to March 2013. The following demographic information was analyzed: age, sex, endoscopic findings of Hasner's valve during operation, complications, and outcomes. The main outcome measures were disappearance of epiphora symptoms beginning the first 2 months after removal of the silicone tube. The silicone tube was removed under topical anesthesia in the office between 2 and 3 months, postoperatively. Results: The mean (±SD) age of the study population was 29.8 (±26.9) months (range: 6 months to 12 years). Under nasal endoscopic view, 45 ducts (58.4%) had a thin membranous obstruction or had a simple stenotic opening of Hasner's valve. Seven ducts (9.1%) had thick obstructing membranes with probe passage under the lateral nasal mucosa. Twenty-three ducts (29.9%) showed the probe tip protruding through balloon-like nasal mucosa. Two ducts (2.6%) appeared to have probe protrusion through a stretchable valve. The overall success rate was 89.6% (69/77). The incidence of tube prolapse and tube loss was 18.2% (14 eyes) and 13.0% (10 eyes), respectively. No other complications were observed. Conclusions: Monocanalicular silicone intubation under nasal endoscopic visualization of the terminal end of the obstructed nasolacrimal duct can be an effective procedure for the management of CNLDO.